In  camp  / 
Conf  Pam  12mo  #924 


IN  CAMP 


I5Y  RET.  WM.  V.  BROADDUS,   D.  D. 


He/xlam, — far  away  from  home,  and  loving 
friends,  and  long-cherished  associations  :  from  all 
that  makes  life  dear  to  me.  And  why  am  I  here/ 
Was  it  merely  that  I  might  be  an  actor  in  scenes 
novel  and  exciting,  that  I  turned  my  back  on 
the  delights  of  home,  and  subjected  myself  to  the 
untold  trials  and  privations  of  camp-lffc,  and  to 
the  fearful  dangers  of  the  battle-field  ?  Let  me 
consider.  If  I  can  satisfy  myself  that  I  am  right 
in  being  here,  conscious  rectitude  will  reconcile 
me  to  my  present  privations,  and  nerve  my  arm 
for  the  deadly  conflict,  whenever  I  may  be  called 
to  meet  it. 

1.  lam  here,  because  a  numerous  and  power- 
ful enemy  has  iuvaded  my  country,  and  threat- 
ened our  subjugation.  Long  had*he  two  Ac- 
tions of  this  great  country  lived  together  in  har- 
mony, under  a  "  Constitution  "  framed  by  men 
whose  wisdom  and  integrity  have  ^Wldom  bean 
equalled.  The  manufacturing  and  commercial 
pursuits  of  the  "  North,"  and  the  agricultural 
habits  of  the  ' '  South,"  seemed  to  create  a  mutual 
dependence,  which  by   mroy   was  supposed   to 


2  IN  CAMP. 

constitute  a  bond  of  union,  too  strong  to  be  bro- 
ken. For  many  years  this  bond  was  held  as  sav 
crod,  and  all  over  the  land  a  spirit  reigned,  read! 
to  respond  to  the  sentiment,  ' '  palsied  be  the 
tongue  that  would  utter  the  word  '  disunion.1  " 
While  this  harmony,  so  delightful  to  remember, 
continued,  the  country  prospered  -to  a  degree 
which  astonished  all  Europe  But  evil  counsels 
at  length  obtained  in  the  heart  of  the  great  North, 
and  by  steady  encroachments,  pressed  for  years, 
the  sacred  safe-guards  provided  by  the  Constitu- 
tion, were,  one  after  another  overthrown,  and 
one  section  of  the  country  was  found  using  the 
power  which  numerical  strength  supplied,  to  op- 
press the  other.      This  brought  me  here. 

2.  I  am  here,  because  those  who  once  called 
us  friends,  now  call  us  rebels,  and  openly  pro- 
claim their  purpose  to  subjugate  us,  simply  be- 
cause we  claim  the  right  to  interpret  the  Con- 
stitution for  ourselves,  though  they  loudly  claim 
the  same  privileges  for  themselves.  When  we 
found  that  the  difference  between  us  and  our 
Northern  brethren  rendered  it  impossible  that  we 
i;ould  any^onger  live  peaceably  under  the  same 
government,  we  sought  by  all  honorable  means 
to  secure  such  a  compromise  as  would  make  us 
separate gaations,  each  interested  to  maintain, 
with  regard  to  the  other,  the  kind  feelings  Of 
good   neighborship.     But  our"  propositions  for  a 


IN  CAMP.  .; 

compromise  were  treated  with  scorn  and  con-  • 
tempt ;  and  we  were  made  to  understand,  by 
many  indirect,  but  at  the  same  time,  practical 
demonstrations,  that  we  must  submit  to  the  will 
,of  a  majority,  whether  that  majority  should  con- 
iform to  the  Constitution,  or  govern  its  course  by 
rits  own  sectional  interests,  and    selfish  ambition. 

■I.  lam  h  re,  because  I  believe  that  def<  n 
■far  is  justifiable.  True,  nothing  can  be  plainer 
pan  that  war  in  itself  is  unnatural,  and  would 
■ever  come  to  pass,  if  all  men  should  observe  (he 
law  that  bids  them  love  others,  as  they  love 
themselves.  But  when  my  fellow  man  so  far 
forgets  this  law,  as  to  assail  my  personal  rights, 
my  property  or  my  friends,  the  same  law  which 
binds  me  to  love  him,"  requires  me  to  compel  him 
if  in  my  power  to  respect  all  my  rights.  The 
present  war,  is  on  our  part,  emphatically  a  war 
of  defence;  and  would  not  lose  its  deftnsivi 
character,  even  if  in  prosecuting  it,  we  should 
find  it  necessary  to  advance  into  the  very  midst 
of  the  enemy's  territory.  Camp-life  has  no 
charms  for  me  ;  nor  would  I  seek  the  battle-field, 
for  its  own  sake.  To  dwell  in  the  midst  of  my 
loved  ones  at  home,  would  be  fan-  more  agreeable 
to  every  feeling  of  my  heart,  than  to  encounter 
either  my  present,  or  prospective  experiences. 
But,  more  than  all  other  earthly  good,  I  covet 
for  my  friends,  as  well  as   for  myself,  the   priyi- 


IN  CAMP. 

lege  of  choosing  the  civil  institutions  tinker  which 
we  live.  To  secure  this  privilege  I  am  here  ; 
and  would  regard  myself  as  unfaithful  to  my 
country,  and  my  country's  God,  if  I  should  for 
a 'moment  shrink  from  the  just  responsibilities  of 
a  soldier's  position. 

4.  lam  h ere,  under  a  stern  sense  of  duty. 
I  am  impressed  in  some  degree  (may  I  bo  more 
and  more  so)  with  the  obligations  that  rest  upon 
me  as  a  soldier.  My  health  must  be  •cared  for, 
my  morals  must  be  guarded  against  the  seductive 
power  of  evil  examples,  and  all  the  duties  of  a 
soldier  I  must  faithfully  discharge.  I  owe  all 
this  to  myself,  to  my  friends,  my  country,  and 
my  God.  Determined  then,  to  occupy  my  place 
here,  with  honor  to  myself,  with  comfort  to  my 
friends  at  home,  and  with  some  advantage  to  my 
country's  cause,  I  cheerfully  consent  to  be  a  sol- 
dier— to  lead  a  soldier's  life — to  bear  a  soldier's 
burdens — to  die,  if  need  be,  a  soldier's  death. 
God  grant  that  I  may  never  fail  of  the  true  sol- 
dier's spirit ! 

.5  I  am  here,  not  knowing  what  destiny  awaits 
me.  Many,(0  how  many!)  through  the  expo- 
sure of  camp-life,  contract  diseases,  which  they 
would  probably  have  escaped  had  they  remained 
at  home  ;  and  dying  far  away  from  home  and 
friends,  now  lie  buried  in  a  ^'stranger's  grave; 
while  many  others  (O   how    many !)    fall  in    the 


IN  CAMP.  0 

midst  of  the  dreadful  clash  of  arms,  and  scarcely 
find  a  decent  burial.  And  who  am  I,  that  I  should 
escape  from  both  these  contingencies !  This  thought 
may  well  awaken  emotions  in  my  bosom,  which 
some  would  consider  unmanly.  To  me  they 
seem  rational,  and  worthy  of  one  who  believes 
himself,  as  I  do  immortal ;  and  I  will,  therefore, 
strive  to  cherish  them — and  yet  I  desire  ever  to 
bear  in  mind,  that  everywhere  God  is  with  me. 
Putting  my  trust  in  Him,  if  I  must  fall  in  this 
campaign,  whether  by  disease  or  by  violence, 
may  those  who  witness  my  end,  have  it  in  their 
power  to  testify  to  the  dear  friends  that  survive 
me,  that  I  "died  at  my  post."  With  such  feel- 
ings and  sentiments  I  am  here;  and  committing 
myself,  for  time  a^nd  for  eternity,  to  Him  who 
stands  pledged  to  men  and  augels,  that  those  who 
trust  in  Iliui  shall  be  sustained  in  their  cause,  I 
desire  quietly  to  await  whatever  His  wisdom 
and  goodness  may  appoint. 


ADDENDUM. 

Soldier  !  The  writer  of  the  above  lines,  who  has 
one  son,  and  several  near  relatives,  and  many, 
many  dear  friends  in  our  armies,  would  fain  put 
oue  more  thought  into  your    heart  :  and    0    how 


6  IN  CAMP. 

it  would  swell  his  heart  with  love  to  you,  and  joy  in 
you, if  he  could  learn  that  upon  reading  the  above 
lines, you  should  cry  out  with  heartfelt  enthusiasm 
to  your  comrades  around  you  :*— 

"  lam  lien'  :  and  if  God  spare  my  life  and 
health,  here  I  intend  to  be,  until  my  country  no 
longer  needs  the  work  I  am  now  doing.  I  did  not 
Volunteer  for  a  holyday  amusement.  I  did  not 
come  to  camp  seeking  ease.  I  came  to  aid  a  good 
cause  in  danger,  and  while  the  danger  continues. 
T  )>-iIl  be  here.  What  if  others  prefer  to  stay  at 
home,  and  make  money,  while  I  am  passing 
thrugh  these  toils  !  Will  their  failure  to  dis- 
charge their,  duty,  excuse  me  from  mine?  What 
if,  either  by  the  culpable  neglect  of  unworthy  of- 
ficials, or  the  slender  means  possessed  by  the 
Confederate  Government,  my  physical  wants  have 
been  scantily  supplied,  and  my  hardships  have 
thereby  been  increased  •  Do  my  sufferings  make 
my  country's  cause  less  dear  to  mo  ?  Shall  I 
desert  a  cause,  for  which  I  have  already  suffered 
so  many  privations  V  No  !  no  !  no!  Perish  the 
unworthy  thought !  Come,  comrades,  here's  in 
for  the  war  I  I  have  drawn  my  sword,  and 
thrown  away  the  scabbard  ;  and  my  sword'is  not 
to    be  laid  down,  unless  wrested  from  me  by  the 

tn-I  that  is  stronger  than  all,  until  the  nations 
of  the  earth  ( including  the  proud,  boasting  North ) 
shall  confess  that  we  art;  not  "  Rebels,"  but  a  na- 
tion of  freeman,  that.  "  know  our  rights,  and 
knowiug,  dare  nnintain  them.'' 


Your  Soul— How  to  Save  It ! 


BY    A   KEJI8ER  OI^TIir.  CONFEDERATE  CONGRESS. 


My  Scar  boy.  yuu  have  a  soul.  Your  soul  is 
in  danger.  Your  soul  is  worth  more  than  a  world. 
Your  soul  is  worth  more 'than  ten  thousand 
worlds.  If  you  lose  your  soul,  you  lose  all. 
If  you  lose  friends,  you  may  get  other  friends. 
If  you  lose  your  wealth,  you  may  get  other 
wealth.  If  you  lose  your  soul  once,  it  is  lost 
forever. 

YTou  may  save  your  soul  by  coming  to  Jesus, 
Jesus  died  to  save.  you.  He  died  on  the  cross 
for  you,  to  save  you  from  sin  and  from  hell. 

0,  will  you  not  come  to  Him.  and  trust ih  Him, 
and  make  Him  your  surety  and  your  friend,  and 
live  with  II im  forever? 

Heaven  is  owned  by  these  who  love  Jesus.  If 
we  would  live  in  heaven  we  must  love' Jesus. 

0,  begin  to-  love  Him  now,  and  love  Him  un 
forever. 

Do  not  lose  your  soul.  It  is  of  priceless  value. 
Do  not  love  the  world.  It  will  lead  you  into  sin 
and  folly,  and  ruin  your  soul  forever. 

Love  Jesus,  and  he  will  bring  you  safe  to 
Heaven. 

Do  you  ask,  how  can  I  love  Jesus  V     How  can 


8  YOUR  SOUL — HOW  TO  SAVE  IT. 

you  help  living  Jesus  ?  He  gave  His  life  for 
you;  He  endured  the  bitterness  of  the  cross  for 
you  ;  He  went  to  the  grave  for  you  ;  lie  rose  again 
for  you,  and  now  He  pleads  in  Heaven  for  you, 
that  your  sins  may  be  pardoned,  and  your  soul 
saved. 

O,  love  your  Jesus  now — love  Him  on  forever. 
Receive  Him  in  your  heart,  and  He  will  lead 
you  to  glory. 


'?* 


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